Mrs. Jyotsna Ajit Kulye has been selected as this year’s recipient of Aastha’s “Super Mom” Award.

Aastha Social Foundation, Ratnagiri, an organization dedicated to persons with disabilities, presents the “Super Mom” Award every year on 8th March, International Women’s Day. The award consists of a shawl, coconut, memento, and a cheque of ₹5,000. This year’s awardee is Mrs. Jyotsna Ajit Kulye. She is originally from Umarad (Guhagar) and married into Govil, Lanja. After marriage, while living in Mumbai for livelihood, she gave birth to her elder son Devesh in 2007. However, doctors diagnosed him with a spinal condition. Devesh underwent as many as 14 major and minor surgeries, yet he could not stand on his own feet. Despite this, Jyotsna Tai remained strong with the support of her in-laws. Initially, she admitted him to a special school, but recognizing his good intelligence, she later enrolled him in a regular school. Every day, she would carry him to school, seat him in a wheelchair, stay there throughout the day, and bring him back home after school. Seeing her dedication, the school principal offered her an opportunity to teach kindergarten students. Despite having studied only up to the 10th standard, she made the most of this opportunity. During the lockdown, she moved with Devesh to Beni village in Lanja taluka, Ratnagiri district, where her husband Ajit Mahadev Kulye was working at Dhanawade Nursery. Even after the lockdown, they decided to stay there and admitted Devesh to New English School, Lanja. With continued struggle, including daily transport by rickshaw, Devesh successfully passed his 10th standard with 74% marks. As he also has hearing difficulties, he took admission in 11th Commerce at T.P. Shetye Junior College. Recognizing the determination of both mother and son, he received the Udaan Divyang Scholarship for 11th and 12th standard. This year, Devesh has appeared for his 12th board exams. Acknowledging the immense efforts, perseverance, and motherly dedication of Jyotsna Tai in raising her 85% multi-disabled son into a capable and self-reliant individual, Aastha honored her with the “Super Mom” Award at her residence. Notably, she also received strong support from her mother-in-law, Mrs. Mandakini Mahadev Kulye. On this occasion, Aastha’s Secretary Mrs. Surekha Pathare, along with Mr. Sanket Chalke, Hasna Nevarekar, and Alhad Pathare, were present.

The district administration is committed to the prevention of hearing impairment and its timely diagnosis,”

The District Disability Empowerment Department, Zilla Parishad Ratnagiri, and the District Disability Rehabilitation Center, Ratnagiri jointly celebrated World Hearing Day at Late Shamrao Peje Cultural Hall, Zilla Parishad Ratnagiri. On this occasion, while delivering the message for World Hearing Day, the Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad, Ms. Vaidehi Ranade, stated that everyone must take precautions to prevent hearing impairment among children in the district. To avoid hereditary hearing loss in newborns, deaf and mute couples should undergo genetic counseling before planning a child. She also emphasized that facilities for newborn hearing screening are available in all rural and sub-district hospitals in the district, and every child born in government or private hospitals must be tested. She appealed to Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, and parents to remain vigilant in this regard. The program was inaugurated by lighting the ceremonial lamp by Mrs. Sunita Shirbhate, District Disability Empowerment Officer, Zilla Parishad Ratnagiri. The guests were welcomed by Mrs. Surekha Pathare, Project Director of the District Disability Rehabilitation Center, Ratnagiri. In her introductory speech, Mrs. Shirbhate explained the theme of World Hearing Day: “Ear and Hearing Care for All: From Community to School.” Mrs. Aarti Kadam, Manager of the National Child Health Program, provided guidance on referral services and schemes available for children with hearing impairment. She also informed that hearing screening services for newborns are available in all sub-district and rural hospitals in the district. Dr. Kashmira Chavan guided the audience on the prevention of hearing impairment, while speech therapist Mrs. Prajakta Bhogte-Satavse elaborated on early diagnosis and early treatment. Among the dignitaries present on the dais were ENT specialist Dr. Vaibhavi Vyas from Government Medical College and District Hospital Ratnagiri, speech therapist Mr. Abhishek Gandhi, special educator Mrs. Mayekar, and acting headmaster Mr. Gajanan Rajput of Late K.P. Abhyankar School for the Deaf. Mrs. Surekha Pathare, Project Director of the District Disability Rehabilitation Center, discussed the issues, schemes, and rehabilitation services related to hearing-impaired individuals with the audience. On this occasion, Arya Sushant Rewale, a student who joined the mainstream after cochlear implant surgery, delivered a speech on the life of Savitribai Phule. Former headmistress of Late K.P. Abhyankar School for the Deaf, Mrs. Anuradha Tatke, was also felicitated. Hearing assessments for children and adults with hearing impairment were conducted through the Aastha Mobile Hearing Testing Center. The program included sign language interpretation by Mrs. Seema Mule, was anchored by Mr. Rajesh Gosavi, and concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Sanjay Baladhye, Medical Social Worker from the District Disability Empowerment Cell.

Dhiraj Sathavilkar has been selected as this year’s recipient of Aastha’s Divyang Prerna Award.

The Aastha Social Foundation, Ratnagiri, an organization dedicated to persons with disabilities, presented the Divyang Prerna Award on the occasion of World Disability Day. This year, the award was conferred upon the multi-talented artist Mr. Dhiraj Rajendra Sathavilkar at a program organized by the Zilla Parishad, Ratnagiri. The award was presented at the hands of Ms. Vaidehi Ranade, Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad Ratnagiri. The award included a cheque of ₹5,000, a shawl, a coconut, and a memento. On this occasion, dignitaries present on the dais included Mrs. Sunita Shirbhate, District Disability Empowerment Officer; Executive Engineer Ms. Biraje from the Ratnagiri Construction Department; Mr. Kiran Lohar, Education Officer; Advocate Mr. Dhurat; and Mrs. Surekha Pathare, Secretary of Aastha Social Foundation, Ratnagiri. Notably, Dhiraj created a portrait of Ms. Vaidehi Ranade using his feet and presented it to her during the event.